If you're feeling a little...overwhelmed, intimidated, or frustrated with the Interactive Notebook...OR...if you are looking at all these beautiful pictures of interactive notebooks online and you're thinking "I give up!!" STOP right there! I've got you covered. I have created this resource just. for. you. After teaching for seven years, something happened that I hadn’t anticipated...I fell in LOVE with the Interactive Student Notebook (ISN). I tried to use this educational tool early on in my teaching career. Pinterest and TPT bombarded me with images of neat and colorful notebooks filled with pop-ups, foldables, and other complex cutting and pasting activities. I soon grew frustrated because my students and I spent a lot of time creating the notebook, but it wasn’t ... rigorous. In fact, it felt a lot more like an art project. Then, I moved schools and started working with some new teachers. It opened my eyes to how the Interactive Notebook could be a tool for deep learning, not something that attempted to live up to some online fantasy. Instead of researching “interactive notebook” activities, I started looking for ways to help my students “dig in” - whether in reflecting, annotating, or creating diagrams to show their thinking. No longer were we cutting and pasting. Now, we were truly creating understanding and depth...not just colorful pictures. I think the Interactive Notebook is great for middle school and high school students. You don’t need to print lots of paper out and have them glue it all down. For secondary and gifted learners, you simply need to create structures for them to track their learning and dive in! In this resource, you’ll find my process for creating an Interactive Notebook that is rigorous and deep. I've had the opportunity to present professional development on the ISN several times over the last three years. And, I thought, why not share it with everyone! Like anything, it’s a work in progress! If you’re feeling intimidated or overwhelmed at the prospect, take it slow. One step at a time, friends. Happy Teaching and “notebooking”! What's included in this resource: An appendix with samples and resources for you to use. A how-to guide for implementing the ISN at the beginning of the school year, along with suggested procedures to keep it running smoothly all year. My ISN FAQ that I give to students and post on my teacher website. An explanation of what the ISN is and why it's useful for student learning. 30+ ideas for "right side" and "left side" activities that encourage rigor Other lessons to start the year off right: Introduction to World History Bundle Starter Kit for Middle School Newspaper First Week of School Identity Mindmap & Classmate Interview Instructional Strategy Freebie: Structured Academic Controversy Nonfiction text structure anchor charts for printing!
